Recently, Milton’s Town Council voted 6-3 opposed to getting a second legal opinion regarding an interim control bylaw as a part of Action Milton’s fight to stop the Campbellville Quarry.
The motion was brought forward by Town Councillor for Ward 1, Kristina Tesser Derksen, and seconded by Regional Councillor for Ward 1, Colin Best.
Action Milton had conversations with their own lawyers, obtained literature and opinions that they then sent to council.
Since then, there have been some disagreements between the lawyers.
Councillor Tesser Derksen explains how getting a second opinion could have been helpful.
In council history, there has never been a need for a second opinion.
Councillor Tesser Derksen makes it clear that she doesn’t disagree with the information the Town received from their own lawyer.
She just believes that it is always better to have more information to consider when making their decisions.
When the motion failed, she says the common theme among residents was a need for more transparency from council on why they made this decision.
Councillor Tesser Derksen says she understand that frustration and explains why it would have been tricky for council to share if they did get a second legal opinion.
Some concern among councillors was that there was a suggestion that if council didn’t support this motion it tells residents they don’t care about the environment.
Councillor Tesser Derksen makes it clear that isn’t true.
Action Milton is waiting to hear back on a environmental assessment that the province has been asked to do which has caused a bit of a delay on the situation.
The Joint Agency Review Team’s (JART) process has also been delayed by the pandemic.
Regional Councillor Colin Best gives us an idea on what some of the next steps are.
To view council’s conversation on the matter you can find Monday’s meeting on the Town of Milton’s Youtube page.
